Morris, Gouverneur

Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816), American diplomatist, was born near New York. He began to practise as a lawyer in 1771, and ten years later was nominated by Robert Morris as assistant superintendent of finance. He was one of the framers of the United States Constitution, but was in Europe from 1788 till 1798. He was in Paris during the earlier part of the Revolution, and in England as Washington's agent in 1791. From 1794 to 1798 he was United States Minister at Paris. After his return to America he became a United States senator. His Diary and Letters are important to the student of the French Revolution.